Accoutrement for choreography



G. SCHWARTZ ACCOUTREMENT FOR CHOREOGRAPHY Dec. 19, 1961 Filed May 15, 1956 FIG.5

IN VENTOR GRACE SCHWARTZ ATTORNEY 3,013,797 AQQOUTREMENT FUR HUREGGRAPHY Grace Schwartz, New York, NX.

(351 139th St., Miami Beach 5, Fla.) Filed May 15, 1956, Ser. No. 584,983 2 Claims. (51. 272-21) This invention relates to accoutrements which may be worn by dancers in the production of entirely novel choreographic effects and to elements for utilization in such accoutrements.

While devices have heretofore been proposed for use in choreography, for example, to simulate lepidopterous movement, such devices have been very restricting on the movement of the dancer and do not permit the freedom of operation required in the artistic development of such dances. Thus where light, fluffy, material is used, substantially haphazardly as it were, the body of the dancer remains invisibly encased within the folds of her garment posing or twirling on mostly one spot. In addition, the physical characteristics of prior art devices did not lend themselves to extensive freedom of expression by the artist being restricted at best to a rather slavish simulation of wing-flapping or fluttering.

Among the objects of the present invention is a dance accoutrement that will give the artist the maximum of freedom of expression in choreographic art.

Other objects include instrumentalities enabling the creation of novel interpretations within the artistic expression of the user. I

Still further objects and advantages will appear from the more detailed description of this invention as set forth below, it being understood that this more detailed description is being given by way of illustration and explanation only, and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated by the following.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the dance accoutrement of the present invention illustrated in use by a dancer;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of the accoutrement as it appears when worn in outstretched but stopped motion;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation with the material removed, showing how cane-type supports for wing portions are utilized to give beyond-armlength support to extended wing members;

FIGURE 4 is a section on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an elevation of a wing cane support provided with a handle;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan of a wristlet carried on a wing cane support and adapted to be strapped about the wrist I of a dancer.

In accordance with the present invention, a robe-type accoutrement is provided giving the artist freedom of movement and creation for the production of choreographic eifects. For this purpose, the accoutrement is desirably made to provide a back member of substantially ankle or floor length so that it will not interfere with any movement of the dancer, the back member having a wing portion on each side thereof. The freedom of movement is provided by accentuated fullness of the back portion thus enabling the wing portions to be moved ad libitum since the fullness of the back member accommodates itself to such freedom of action in any direction. In addition, such fullness is desirably so great as to provide not merely for the movements just described, but in addition to permit the back member to fall in folds and during movement to drape itself gracefully in action, accentuating softness of line and sense of movement.

In addition to such accentuated full back member, other features contribute to the freedom of action and novelty of effect and may be used in combination with the accentuated full back member or by themselves. Thus wing action and variation of action is provided by control of the peripheral leading edge of the wing at all times. For this purpose each wing is extended for a width substantiaily greater than two arm lengths and may, for example, have a width of ten to twenty feet giving a span of many feet. Each wing is supported for an arms length by an arm of the dancer, and is further supported beyond the arm by a support such as of cane, bamboo, wire or other flexible material. A cane support is eminently suited for use and may be made from split bamboo. Desirably the cane support will be of a length equal to the width of a wing less one arm-length. In this way the upper peripheral edge of the wing will always be supported throughout its width, and since the latter may be made as wide as desired, within reason, a magnificance of effect is readily realized. Instead of being merely straight or arcuate, the support particularly in its longer forms, may desirably be sinuous as illustrated herein, to accentuate the complexity of drape and fold, and the sense of flow and freedom that results under such circumstances from choreographic movement particularly when rapid.

To maintain relative position of cane support to wing, the support is carried in loosely fixed position on the wing by providing an elongated pocket therein for the cane support. In addition the cane support has a handle on the end adjacent the hand of the user who may thus grip the handle and hold the cane support outwardly or upwardly or outwardly and upwardly thus varying the drape and lines assumed by the wing. To insure a more secure grip on the cane support, the latter is provided with a separable wristlet adapted to be strapped on the wrist of the user, the wristlet desirably carrying a pocket for reception of the end of cane support so that by conjoint cOntrOl by the hand and the wrist, the cane support may be whipped rapidly or moved slowly in any direction with great variation of control.

Of course, the effects obtained are correlated with the material of which the back and wing members are made. Desirably it should be a material which gives a free flowing effect during choreographic movement, but should have a weight that will lend itself to the whim and control of the artist. Materials that have proved very desirable are China silk of the kind usually called heavy and messaline silk or satins of similar body and feel. However, it is not intended to limit the invention to these materials but merely to illustrate preferred textiles that give outstanding effects not obtainable either with light or flimsy materials or with material too heavy to lend itself to ready manipulation.

In utilizing such materials, the effects obtainable are variable by the way the materials are themselves fabricated to produce back and wing members. Desirably the back member is gored, the gores being stitched together, and increases in width from the upper part of the back member downwardly and desirably to the lowermost edge of the back and wing members. The increase in width may be obtained by having the gores increase in width or in number or desirably by a combination of such expedients. Within reasonable limits, the greater the fullness of the back, the greater is the artistic effect resulting from movement of the material. But as noted above it is important to have the back portion of substantially ankle length, or even floor length, so that no matter how the material of the back member may drape itself about foot or body movement.

The wing portions are also desirably gored and stitched together as described above for the back member with increasing width downwardly. By this arrangement, the lines of flow obtained by the gored effect appear to emanate from a central area at about the neck line and that area is substantially the center of movement since the arm motion also revolves about that central area. The wing portions are also made very full and their length can be varied since the support members may keep them in any swirling or other movement. In addition the wing portions may be opened centrally at the back to give the appearance of separate wings.

A most desirable way of producing the robe-like accoutrement is to provide a back member of doubled-over material, all members being gored and formed as explained above, the back and wing members forming continuous sections. By using the doubled-over material, or the fact that it is in two sections, produces an interesting solidity and exactness of line. In such form, the

accoutrement is substantially like a very full flowing skirt but depends from the back of the neck of the wearer. The arms of the wearer may he slipped within the fold of the material on each side of the opening to support the accoutrement on the extended arms of the dancer while she grasps the handles of the cane supports also strapped to her wrists to give her complete control of the movement and choreography. While the doubledover material is therefore preferred, the garment may be a single layer.

For the effects described above, the material should as set forth, have a body or character which not only lends itself to utility in the way described, but actually itself helps to contribute something of its own to the effect. Light, fiuffy material does not therefore give the effects obtainable with the present invention by the use of material such as a heavier variety of silk or a glossy light-weight satin which lend the weight necessary to execute a specific, predetermined routine of stylized and rhythmically designed patterns particularly by the utilization of two well-defined wings made from material of the character set forth above. In this way, with the present invention, one is not limited to movement in a very restricted area, as was true with prior art attempts in this direction; but continuous choreographic dance motion is possible, of any intricacy, with no areal limit other than that of the entire available stage. By the use of the preferred materials set forth above, it is possible to execute a specific routine, if desired, of stylized and rhythmically designed patterns utilizing for example two well-defined Wings. Two wings, the movements of which are detached and distinctly separated from the body, while the body, substantially visible, performing on its own as a ballerina, is in constant, intricate dance motion encompassing the entire stage.

The gored material utilized in both the back and wing members materially contributes to the effects obtained with the present invention, since the multiple gores of the preferred material as emphasized above, and largely concealed in the rear of the wing members enable designs and configurations to be achieved that are impossible with other trappings. These features together with the strong wrist supports, increasing the control of the dancer over the cane-supported wings and the ability to move them gracefully with any degree of rapidity give a perfection of control to the choreographer to permit execution with the greatest of freedom. The highly flexible cane supports here amplify such control and expression in any continuity of flowing curve within the will of the performer enabling the highest possible artistic expression. Only in this way is it possible to control voluminous yards of silk in simulation of winged structures including lepidopterous movement or that of the moth, or flying fish, etc., and to make full use of the beauty of designed configuration of silk in motion giving flowing rhythmic patterns of multicolor design to music. The present invention utilizes desirably, a movable paired appendage likened to any of various winged-structures producing a mechanism of flight in the position and ap pearance of a wing, either as one, but preferably by a pair attached to the side or sides of a support, e.g., to the shoulders or the back of the head or along the back of the neck as for flight. In this way, it is possible to produce beauty and aesthetic excitement through rhythmically shimmering and rapidly moving color forms.

Referring now to the forms illustrated in the drawing, back member 1 is provided of floor length 2 made of doubled-over gored material 3, wing portions 4 being continuous with back member 1 and formed also of doubled-over material. Wings 4 are stitched at 5 along its upper peripheral reach 6 to provide pocket 7 for reception of sinuous cane support 3 having handle 9. The cane support carries a wristlet 10 having strap 11 and buckle 12 to permit it being strapped on the wrist of a dancer. Wristlet 10 is also provided with a socket 13 rigidly secured to wristlet 10 into which socket the handle end of cane support 8 may be inserted. This construction permits complete control of the cane support and of the dance accoutrement in the hands of the dancer. Opening 14 formed centrally in back member 1 enables the extended arms of the user to support the material at the line formed by the doubled-over portions. The pocket 7 may broaden into a sleeve like portion.

Edge 15 of opening 14 may be provided with hem or band 216 much as a skirt may be hemmed at the waist line. If continuous around opening 14, hem 16 will provide portion 17 which extends across the back of the wearer. Such hem 16 with back portion 17 may thus serve as a harness or brace to hold the accoutrement securely in desired position. In addition the wing and skirt portions may have peripheral edges hemmed or tape attached thereto to give weight or a somewhat stiffened effect without interfering with flow of movement.

The dancer may slide into the large neck opening, much as one would into a harness. The band of the back or longer wings is tight across the back of the neck of the user, while the band of the front wings pulls tightly across the back of the neck of the user enabling the arms to slip through the band at the sides in harness like fashion.

I claim:

1. A robe type dance accoutrement for producing novel choreographic effects including a back member of substantially ankle length and a wing on each side of the back member, and an increasing greater length outwardly the back and wing members being made of material which gives free flowing effect during choreographic movement, the back and wing members being gored and increasing in width from the upper part of the back member toward the bottom part thereof to give greatly accentuated fullness to the back member for freedom of movement, each wing along its upper reach having a width greatly in excess of two arm lengths, a cane type sinuous support along the upper peripheral reach of each wing to support the wing beyond arms length the inner end of each cane type support forming a handle to be grasped by a dancer, a wristlet carried on each cane support to grasp a wrist of the dancer adjacent the handle, and each wing having a pocket adjacent its upper peripheral edge for reception of the cane support.

2. A robe-type dance accoutrement for producing novel choreographic effects including a back member of substantially ankle length consisting of doubled-over material and a wing member on each side of said back member and of increasing greater length outwardly, each doubled-over portion of the back member being gored and increasing in width toward the bottom thereof to give greatly accentuated fullness to the back member the members being made of material which gives free flowing effect during choreographic movement, each wing member being formed of doubled over material gored from the upper part of the wing toward the bottom thereof, the back and wing members forming continuous sections, an opening centrally of the back member whereby an arm of a dancer may be slipped within the fold in the material on each side of the opening, the robelike accoutrement being supportable on the extended arms of a dancer and dropping downwardly across the back of the dancer in use, each wing along its reach having a width of at least two arm lengths, a cane-type support along the upper peripheral reach of each wing beyond arms length, the inner end of the cane support forming a handle to be grasped by the dancer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Goodrich Dec. 7, Fuller Apr. 17, Adams Nov. 8, Gostin -2. May 21, Green May 22, Planitz Aug. 20, Misteli Aug. 6,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 24, Germany Mar. 18, 

